Closure for collapsible tubes



Ochlfi, 1934. R VERGE 1,976,867

I CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed March 15, 1933 ,F'. Z. i w ,12

ATTORNEY:

- IN V EN TOR. v a/2 Patented Oct. 16, 1934 vireo A stares PATENT orrlce CLOSURE FOR JOLLAPSIBLE TUBES Reginald E. Verge, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor of one-fourth to William Winfield and one-fourth to Morris Winfield, both of Pittsburgh, Pa;

Application March 15, 1933, Serial No. 660,888

4 Claims.

My invention refers to improvements in collap..- ible tubes for containing and dispensing plastic material, such as tooth paste, shaving cream, or the like. The particular feature of improvement ST is a resilient opening and closing valve and a 16 tively.

Certain preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the device in side elevation,

showing the valve closed;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in end elevation;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial view similar to Fig. 1 showing the valve shifted to open position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective detail view of I the valve, detached;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1;

Figs. 7 and 8 are partial views, like Fig. 4, illus- "2'5 trating a modified construction;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of the valve of such modified construction, detached.

The main body portion 2 of the tube is like the conventional tube in common use having the in- "36 turned filling and closing end 3 and the integral discharge end 4. Instead of the usual threaded cap-receiving discharge terminal the end 4 is provided with a part-cylindrical extension or barrel 5 having an outlet opening 6 approximating the '35 middle of the end 4.

Extension 5 is integral with end 4 and is of materially more than half cylindrical barrel form, whereby its annular sides inwardly of its concentric transverse center recede towards their junc- 3 0 ture 7 with the top.

= longitudinal groove 9 and a lug or point 10 extends inwardly from the valve 8, adapted to engage the groove 9 to limit opening or closing movement of the valve. One side of the valve is bent around and inwardly against itself as in Fig.

6, providing a finger engaging projection 11, by

which the valve may be shifted, and is preferably knurled, as at 12. The inwardly turned end of the shifting projection is shouldered, and provides the limiting pin extension 10 engaging slot 9.

As stated, the part-cylindrical valve is resilient, and when in position on extension 5 is somewhat distended from its normal separate form. It therefore exerts a clasping or embracing engagement with the part-cylindrical barrel 5, the inner free edges 13 tending to close inwardly around and make a close fit on the barrel extension all around. The resiliency of the valve also effects suflicient friction between the parts to maintain the valve in either closed or open position.

In first applying the valve it is forced endwise over the rounded surface of the barrel, the edges 13 spreading apart and closing inwardly, with the lug l0 engaging slot 9. The outer middle portion of the valve thus closely covers and seals the opening 6, and when the valve is shifted as is Fig. 4, the contents of the tube may be extruded in the usual way. Thereupon the valve is shifted to closed position, cleanly severing the extruded section, and any remaining fragments may be cleanly wiped oil.

The modified construction of Figs. '7, 8 and 9 is generally similar to the main form above described, but provides a supplemental resilient thin lip extension 14, adapted, when the valve is shifted to open position, to lie over the outlet opening 6. In such position the contents of the tube will still be retained normally, but may be forced out by squeezing pressure, causing the lip extension 14 to open up slightly for passage of the contents in the form of a film.

The construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated from the foregoing description.

In addition to obviating objections to the usual separable screw cap, the slidable valve is always retained on the tube, and secured against loss. It is comparatively simple, cheap to manufacture, very efiicient, not liable to get out of order, and provides a readily available closure for cleanly delivering the desired amount of contents, by easy and effective operation of the cylindrical valve. It may of course be adapted to various shapes or sizes of containers, or otherwise changed or varied by the skilled mechanic, with- 105 in the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a collapsible tube having a part-cylindrical outlet extension provided with a delivery opening and an outer closed-end 115 groove, a part-cylindrical resilient valve closely embracing the extension and slidable over the delivery opening and provided with a finger projection having a movement-limiting abutment engaging the groove.

2. In combination with a collapsible tube having a part-cylindrical outlet extension provided with a delivery opening and an outer closed-end groove, a part-cylindrical resilient'valve closely embracing the extension and slidable over the delivery opening and provided with a shifting ex-tr tension having a movement-limiting abutment engaging the groove.

3. In combination with a collapsible tube having a part-cylindrical outlet extension provided with a delivery opening and a-shouldered groove,

movement to efiect dispensing of container contents under pressure.

REGINALD E. VERGE. 

